Visualization of Two-dimensional Single Chains of Hybrid Polyelectrolytes on Solid Surface
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ARTICLE
POLYMER SCIENCE
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-021-2520-4 Chinese J. Polym. Sci.
Visualization of Two-dimensional Single Chains of Hybrid Polyelectrolytes on Solid Surface Lan-Lan Zhanga, Wen-Ke Miaoa, Li-Jun Rena, Yu-Kun Yana, and Wei Wanga,b* a Center
for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of the Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China b Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
Electronic Supplementary Information Abstract The polyacidic character of polyoxometalate (POM) clusters endows high ionic conductivity, making these clusters good candidates for solar and fuel cells. Covalent bonding of clusters to polymer chains creates poly(POM)s that are polyelectrolytes with both cluster functions and polymer performance. Thus, solution-processable poly(POM)s are expected to be used as key materials in advanced devices. Further understanding of poly(POM)s will optimize the preparation process and improve device performance. Herein, we report a study of the first linear poly(POM)s by directly visualizing the chains using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Compared with traditional polymers, individual clusters of poly(POM)s can be directly visualized because of the resistance to electron-beam damage and the high contrast of the tungsten POM pendants. Thus, cluster aggregates with diverse shapes were observed. Counting the number of clusters in the aggregates allowed the degree of polymerization and molecular weight distribution to be determined, and studying the aggregate shapes revealed the presence of a curved semirigid chain in solution. Further study of shape diversity revealed that strong interactions between clusters determine the diverse chain shapes formed during solution processing. Fundamental insight is critical to understanding the formation of poly(POM) films from solutions as key functional materials, especially for fuel and solar cells. Keywords Polyelectrolyte; Polyacidic cluster; Functional hybrid; Chain; Scanning transmission electron microscopy Citation: Zhang, L. L.; Miao, W. K.; Ren, L. J.; Yan, Y. K.; Wang, W. Visualization of two-dimensional single chains of hybrid polyelectrolytes on solid surface. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-021-2520-4
INTRODUCTION Nanoscale and atomically precise clusters are an attractive class of molecules with structural and compositional diversity, which impart unique properties and functions that are significantly different from those of atoms and bulk materials.[1−5] Notably, recent research on clusters of gold and other noble metals has progressed very rapidly owing to their exciting properties and/or functions.[3−5] Naturally, they are ideal building blocks for the fabrication of novel functional materials with the desired properties and functions of clusters.[6−12] Currently, developing methods other than crystall
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